1893.] naturAjl sciences of Philadelphia. 56a 



were accompanied by lantern demonstrations. The field excur- 

 sions continue to attract the general attention of the students, and 

 it is plainly visible that they exert a marked influence upon the zeal 

 and energy with which the subject of geological investigation is 

 prosecuted. The quality of independent observation is by this 

 means readily acquired, and with it is developed the healthy spirit 

 of original research. Especially successful have been the efforts of 

 the students in fossil-collecting, and to them the paleontology of 

 New Jersey is largely indebted for work already accomplished. 



The condition of the paleontological department of the Academy 

 remains much as it has been. No relief has yet been afforded 

 to the crowded condition of the collections, but the near com- 

 pletion of the annex to the main building brings with it the 

 hope of an early betterment. During the year, under the super- 

 vision of the Curators, a portion of the State col led ion illustrating 

 the Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania has been removed 

 from the boxes in which the collection has hitherto remained packed. 

 and placed in drawers especially provided for it. No proper ar- 

 rangement of these specimens is, however, as yet possible. Indeed, 

 any attempt to rearrange and re-classify would be un- 

 desirable in the present condition of lack of room. Your Con- 

 servator regrets that, mainly owing to an affection of his eyes which 

 continued throughout the greater part of the year, he has not been 

 able to give that general attention to the collections under his charge 

 which he should have desired. 



There have been numerous accessions to the collections during the 

 year, among which, perhaps most prominently, may be mentioned ex- 

 tensive series of Tertiary and Post- Tertiary fossils presented by Mr. 

 Joseph Willcox and Mr. Clarence B. Moore. In this connection 

 not inappropriately reference might be made to the collection of 

 Cretaceous and Miocene leaves obtained by the Peary Relief Expe- 

 dition at the famous fossil-bearing locality of Atanekerdluk, Green- 

 land. The specimens are contained in sixty-five trays. 



Specimens for study have been loaned to Gilbert I). Harris of 

 Washington; W. B. Clarke of Baltimore; C. B. Simpson of Al- 

 bany, and W. II. Cummins of Austin, Texas. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



Angelo Heili'rin, 

 Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology. 



